FA Cup winners Wigan relegated after Arsenal loss

Reuters: Wigan Athletic became the first team to be relegated from England’s top flight in the same season as winning the FA Cup after they lost 4-1 at Arsenal, with Lukas Podolski scoring twice, in the Premier League on Tuesday.

The victory keeps Arsenal in pole position to claim fourth spot and a place in next year’s Champions League. They lead north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, in fifth spot, by one point with the last round of games to be played on Sunday.

Wigan have narrowly escaped relegation several times in recent seasons but their luck ran out at a rain-sodden Emirates Stadium just three days after they had beaten Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley to win the FA Cup for the first time. In Tuesday’s other game, Manchester City, who sacked manager Roberto Mancini on Monday, won 2-0 at relegated Reading with forwards Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko scoring late in each half.

City, last season’s champions, are now guaranteed second place after Brian Kidd took caretaker charge of the team following the departure of Mancini and his number two, David Platt, who left the club earlier on Tuesday. Arsenal have qualified for the Champions League in every full season Arsene Wenger has been in charge since he became manager in 1996, and they travel to Newcastle United on Sunday knowing they can guarantee qualification if they win.

Spurs, with 69 points to Arsenal’s 70, host Sunderland. Champions Manchester United and City have already sealed their places in the Champions League group stage. Third-placed Chelsea have also qualified for the Champions League but Arsenal, who are two points behind the West London club, can overhaul them for the final spot in the group stage. The fourth-placed team go into the Champions league playoffs.

The Premier League’s three relegated teams will be replaced by Cardiff City, who won the second-tier Championship title, and Hull City. Crystal Palace and Watford meet in the playoff final on 27 May to decide the third promoted team.